Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former country’s prime minister Imran Khan, take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad on September 8, 2024.
AFP
At least 30 people from Imran Khan's party were remanded in custody last Tuesday, two days after they led a major rally in Islamabad
PTI has faced a sweeping crackdown since former prime minister was jailed in August last year
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan granted bail on Monday to 10 lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), an AFP journalist witnessed.
At least 30 people from Imran Khan's party -- including the 10 MPs -- were remanded in custody last Tuesday, two days after they led a major rally in Islamabad.
The anti-terrorism court granted them bail of 30,000 rupees ($100).
PTI has faced a sweeping crackdown since Imran Khan was jailed in August last year on a series of charges he says are politically motivated and designed to keep him from power.
The 10 MPs, some detained at their offices in the National Assembly, were charged under a new protest law and the anti-terrorism act.
PTI supporters wave party flags during a rally in Islamabad on Sept 8, 2024.
Reuters
They were accused of violating the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, passed just days before the rally was held, in a move rights groups say was an attempt to curb freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
PTI has sparred with the military since Imran Khan was deposed two years ago.
The confrontation came to a head after the former cricket star's first arrest on corruption charges in May 2023.
Policemen detain an activist of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party during a protest outside the an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on September 10, 2024.
AFP
His supporters waged days of sometimes violent protests and attacked military installations, sparking a sweeping crackdown on PTI. But the clampdown failed to diminish former prime minister's popularity and candidates backed by him won the most seats in 2024 polls -- marred by allegations of widespread rigging.
A United Nations panel of experts found this month that his detention "had no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify him from running for political office".
A number of convictions against him have been overturned by the courts. Several members of the PTI's social media and press team were rounded up last month and accused of "anti-state propaganda".
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